Politics in a state play a role in determining the economic perspectives of many countries in the globe. National policies and domestic cultures have a significant influence on how the economy behaves. The rise of market capitalism worldwide has resulted in the creation of numerous employment opportunities for both men and women. Global capitalism has therefore resulted from these leaps in technology and the decrease in socialism.
However, there are some practices by transnational corporations have led to the decline of capitalism by promoting gender inequality and racial discrimination. In as much as the 21st century has experienced great leaps in globalization and gender equity, there are still some pre-set images and ideologies of gender evident which have had an impact on global capitalism.
There are several divisions fashioned around the differences between men and women by humanity. The beliefs and expectations that the society has created between the two sexes have created pressure on their roles in globalization. Responsibility has been conventionally assigned to men.
Some occupations like housework and informal trades are usually sidelined as ‘women’s work’ despite the fact that they develop the economy. This global conception is extremely misguiding because it includes women in other societies who do not experience such challenges.
There are some negative perceptions displayed in the media which have led to the stereotyping of women in other states. Women have historically not been given opportunities in politics and economic power due to their sexual orientation mainly in third-world countries.
However, there exists ‘third-worlds’ in many first world countries, where ethnic isolation is practiced. Such people still face economic disadvantages and do not command necessary political influence to influence development. There images of ideology are therefore the same as those who practically live in third-world countries.
The contributions from females in politics and economy continue to be sidelined in spite of findings of research that signify their importance. Authority, power and economic issues create sex differentiations in the society. Globally, there is a silent war between the two genders, where women are considered as the losers. Political and economic change in the globe can be best effected through having meaningful ideologies on gender.
The world has been divided into producers and consumers, profoundly affecting women, mainly in third-world countries, where disempowered groups have been subjected to less pay. Racial and ethnic segregation is evident as many corporations prefer to work with people from their race even thought they may not be qualified.
The interactions of the genders in global politics and the economy are perceived differently in different cultures. Cultures in African and Afghanistan societies reveal a lot of disparities which happen based on one’s gender orientation. The practice of female genital mutilation in Africa has brought about submissiveness, reducing the zeal in participating in political activities. A third-world woman being denied access to school, employment and healthcare puts men on the forefront of politics and economy.
Through colonialism, which is still being practiced, African women were seen as beasts of burden. Cultural practices of paying gifts and polygamy display oppression of women. This ideology has been used by corporations to justify women as desirable workers in the service sectors with low pay.
The stereotypic view of women is magnified when the sophisticated side of the cultures is not shown. Hence, an image is conjured that all the women in such areas are facing such challenges. The men in such societies are therefore perceived as being oppressors who are terribly strange and accustomed to a hard life.
It is a popular belief that men are the sole bread winners of families, therefore requiring more pay. This has been used as an excuse by different companies for the low wages that women receive. The belief is that women will be supported by men and do no require much pay. In a sharp contrast, women from the westernized states know about such challenges in the media. The economic output of such women is generally high, and they are well positioned to participate in political activities in their country.
The ideology of the colonialist about the oppression that citizens of third word countries face seems to justify the behavior of employers to women and international races. The transnational companies are consumed by the belief that they are improving the lives of the poor people by offering them better standards of living. Intervention by the western culture is made to be seen as modern change, and the original cultures of third-world countries are seen as traditional and oppressive.
Conclusion
Racial and gender prejudice have been a stumbling block in the quest of experiencing domineering universal capitalism. If the flaws in global political economy are not addressed, there is bound to be a continuous decline in global capitalism.
Direct response by feminists to the challenges they are subdued to by transnational corporations is bearing fruits as the justification of women as workers in low-paid service jobs vanishes. Globalization and gender are inextricably linked, and the development of either influences the other. A perfect balance between the two is necessary to ensure that globalization brings along equality of the sexes and races.